England all-rounder Chris Woakes has announced his retirement from international cricket, drawing the curtain on a 15-year career that delivered two World Cup triumphs and a defining role in England’s modern cricketing era.
The 36-year-old Warwickshire player confirmed his decision after being left out of England’s squad for this winter’s Ashes series. The omission effectively signalled the end of his international journey, which began with a T20 debut in 2011 and a Test bow in the final match of the 2013 Ashes.
A decorated career in all formats
Woakes represented England in 62 Tests, 122 one-day internationals, and 33 T20 internationals. Over that span, he claimed 192 Test wickets at an average of 29.61 and scored 2,034 runs at 25.11, underlining his all-round value.
In ODIs, he contributed 173 wickets and 1,524 runs, while in T20s, he picked up 31 wickets and chipped in with 147 runs. His balanced statistics only partly tell the story of a player who consistently delivered in crucial moments for his team.
The all-rounder was pivotal in England’s white-ball revolution. He played a key role in the 2019 50-over World Cup victory at Lord’s, where England beat New Zealand in a dramatic final. Three years later, Woakes was again part of history as England lifted the T20 World Cup in Australia.
A farewell marked by bravery
Woakes’ final act in England colours may well have been his courageous effort in the summer Test series against India. He dislocated his shoulder on the first day of the fifth Test at The Oval but returned to bat with his arm in a sling as England chased a narrow target.
Although he did not face a ball, he ran four valuable runs before Gus Atkinson was dismissed, showing the grit and selflessness that defined his career. For many, it was a fitting—if bittersweet—symbol of his devotion to the team cause.
The ultimate team man
Woakes’ achievements often came under the shadow of two giants of English cricket, James Anderson and Stuart Broad, with whom he shared new-ball duties. His misfortune was to play in the same era as those legendary bowlers, as well as competing with Ben Stokes for the all-rounder’s role.
Despite this, Woakes carved his own niche, particularly in English conditions. His home Test bowling average of 23.87 is superior even to Anderson and Broad, and his record at Lord’s—where he claimed a Test century, a five-wicket haul, and a 10-wicket match—placed him among a select few.
He was recognised for his outstanding contribution in the 2023 Ashes series, where he took 19 wickets at 18.14 in three matches, earning the Compton-Miller Medal for player of the series.
Tributes from cricketing figures
Tributes poured in following his announcement. Rob Key, managing director of England men’s cricket, described Woakes as “one of the finest people to have played the game,” praising both his cricketing ability and his impact on the dressing room.
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chair Richard Thompson echoed those sentiments, highlighting Woakes’ bravery and commitment: “The images of Chris walking out to bat with his arm in a sling to try and win a Test reflected how much he cared about playing for his country.”
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, who saw Woakes up close during this summer’s series, lauded him as “the man with an iron will” and one of the bravest to play the game.
Woakes’ reflections on his career
In a heartfelt message on social media, Woakes said representing England had been the fulfilment of a childhood dream.
“Playing for England was something I aspired to do since I was a kid dreaming in the back garden, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have lived out those dreams,” he wrote.
“Lifting two World Cups and being part of some amazing Ashes series is something I never thought was possible, and those memories and celebrations with my team-mates will stay with me forever.”
He also confirmed his desire to continue playing county cricket for Warwickshire while pursuing opportunities in franchise leagues around the world.
A changing of the guard
Woakes’ retirement marks another transition in an England team already undergoing generational change. With Anderson and Broad now retired, Moeen Ali stepping away, and players like Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler fading from the Test scene, England’s core from the 2010s and early 2020s is steadily being replaced.
Stokes and Mark Wood are closer to the end of their careers than the beginning, leaving Joe Root as one of the few senior figures still firmly established in the Test side.
Woakes’ departure will be felt not only for his contributions with bat and ball but also for his reputation as one of the most respected and well-liked figures in cricket.
Legacy of a gentleman cricketer
Known widely as “the nicest man in cricket,” Woakes leaves behind a legacy of skill, resilience, and selflessness. His ability to rise to the occasion—whether with the ball swinging under cloudy skies or with a vital lower-order innings—earned him respect across formats.
For England supporters, his name will forever be associated with that golden period of white-ball dominance and Ashes heroics. For his teammates, he will be remembered as the ultimate team man, willing to put everything on the line for the side.
As cricket looks toward the next generation, Woakes departs with his head held high, leaving behind a career that may not always have grabbed headlines but was integral to England’s successes over the last decade and a half.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
